Nix, Whittington lead city council contributions and spending

By Junious Smith III / Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 08:15 PM.

Nix attributed the amount received to residents believing in his ability to govern.

“I think my message has been consistent; I want good things for Kinston and I guess people believe I can do a good job,” Nix said. “They’re willing to put money behind me. Campaigns are expensive, and having the backing of others is a factor.”

Nix, who unsuccessfully ran for city council in 2011, hasn’t put as much merit in signs, mostly using the ones from his campaign two years ago and placing them in places with a lot of travel.

“Signs don’t win elections,” Nix said. “What does is face-to-face interactions, meeting the person where they are and talking to them on their own terms and own neighborhoods.”

Whittington has received $4,935.13 and spent $2,363.39. He said he has been immersing himself into the future of Kinston and ways to improve the city.

“I’ve been coming to events to see the long-range plans for downtown and talking to the public, asking what they needed in the community,” Whittington said. “I’ve also had conversations with city manager Tony Sears, where we talked about the vision of Kinston and how myself and others could bring it to reality.”

Robbie Swinson, the lone incumbent candidate, said he didn’t want to bother citizens about contributing to his campaign; instead, he’s using leftover signs from his previous campaign and making himself available in the city.

The Free Press and TACC-9 are giving voters an opportunity to meet all 11 candidates in the Kinston City Council and mayor’s race. On Monday, the eight city council candidates will participate in a forum that will be broadcast live on TACC-9 beginning at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, the three mayoral candidates will take part in a forum that will also be broadcast live on TACC-9. Residents who’d like to be in the studio audience need to be at TACC-9’s studios, 136 N. Queen St., by 6:45 p.m.

With eight candidates trying to fill two open city council seats, each person is doing something different in an attempt to sit on the board.

John Nix and Wynn Whittington are the only two candidates who have received and spent more than $1,000 in campaigning for the Nov. 5 election.

During the 35-business day reporting period from July 29 to Sept. 24, Nix led all candidates, receiving $5,465 and spending $4,904.85

Nix attributed the amount received to residents believing in his ability to govern.

“I think my message has been consistent; I want good things for Kinston and I guess people believe I can do a good job,” Nix said. “They’re willing to put money behind me. Campaigns are expensive, and having the backing of others is a factor.”

Nix, who unsuccessfully ran for city council in 2011, hasn’t put as much merit in signs, mostly using the ones from his campaign two years ago and placing them in places with a lot of travel.

“Signs don’t win elections,” Nix said. “What does is face-to-face interactions, meeting the person where they are and talking to them on their own terms and own neighborhoods.”

Whittington has received $4,935.13 and spent $2,363.39. He said he has been immersing himself into the future of Kinston and ways to improve the city.

“I’ve been coming to events to see the long-range plans for downtown and talking to the public, asking what they needed in the community,” Whittington said. “I’ve also had conversations with city manager Tony Sears, where we talked about the vision of Kinston and how myself and others could bring it to reality.”

Robbie Swinson, the lone incumbent candidate, said he didn’t want to bother citizens about contributing to his campaign; instead, he’s using leftover signs from his previous campaign and making himself available in the city.

“I have some signs from the last campaign I didn’t use,” said Swinson, who is seeking his third term. “I know how people are about spending money, and I didn’t want to ask for donations. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.

“I’m just trying to make myself visible; hustling and bustling, making church appearances and events. I never want to take anything for granted, just because people know me as a councilman already. I’m working smarter, not harder.”

Carol Tokarski hasn’t attempted to ask for any money for her campaign, saying she doesn’t believe in it.

“With so many 501 (c4)s, I don’t believe in funding any candidate, and the political arena has sucked a lot of money for good things in the community,” Tokarski said. “The payout isn’t there and I don’t like it. I feel there should be limits on campaigns and there’s too much gerrymandering. I don’t have it in my heart to solicit $1. There are too many good causes the money could be going to, like religious services, fighting hunger, the non-profit art center and trying to preserve the town. I just want the community to improve.”

Teddra Hussey-Smith is looking to see more importance in the individuals of the city, rather than financial gains.

“You hear about diversity and profit, but the people need to be invested in,” Hussey-Smith said. “The business people aren’t diverse, because there is little representation of African-Americans and Latinos. Kinston isn’t a business, it’s a community and we need to invest in that.”

Hussey-Smith hasn’t posted many signs, but said she has been visible in the city.

“I’ve been appearing at different affairs and churches,” Hussey-Smith said. “I take my mom out every week and meet people at the grocery store.”

Marc McKnight said he threw his hat into the political ring because he wanted to make a difference in areas which seem to lack attention in the city.

“Carey Road has probably been paved 10 times in the past 10 years, but you see the state of Adkin, Caswell and Bright Street,” McKnight said.

McKnight has been working on making himself more known and educating potential voters in Kinston’s first election without political representation.

“It’s a nonpartisan election, so it’s not about parties,” McKnight said. “I’ve been meeting people, shaking hands and answering questions. Signs show names, but not the actual character. I’m here to represent all people of Kinston, not just a certain section. They’re all taxpayers and should have representation.”

Lennie Peterson has been using yard signs and word of mouth as a way to spread his message. He also believes his work ethic makes him a good choice for city council.

“I’ve been working since I was 13 or 14 and currently work at a warehouse in Wilson,” Peterson said. “There are workers in their 20s there, and I’m 50, doing the same job they’re doing.”

Peterson’s biggest focus is having more employment for younger residents of Kinston.

“We need to find a way of keeping young people here with job opportunities,” Peterson said. “Most of my classmates moved away from here for work and we should do better to have opportunities for those coming out of high school now.”

Adrien Meadows, who is the youngest candidate running in the election at 25, has mostly relied on word of mouth to garner votes over using conventional methods.

“Of course, I can visit churches, schools and such, but that’s putting on a façade for the people, like I’m only doing these things to get a vote,” Meadows said. “Typical campaigning. Yeah, I should put together a team, but I (would) rather speak for myself instead of having someone representing me.”

Meadows believes his honesty and concern for all citizens make him a good candidate for Kinston City Council.

“The only thing I can say is that I’m the next poor sap trying to inform the people of the powers that be and their hidden agenda,” Meadows said. “I do not care what people say or think about me; I stand by the truth. I may not be bound to win, but I am bound to the truth.”

Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.